"I'll lend you for a little while
A child of mine, "God said.
"For you to love while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or forty-two or three.
But will you, til I call him back,
Take care of him for me?"

He'll bring his charms
To gladden you and--
(should his stay be brief)
You'll have his lovely memories
As a solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return;
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn.

I've searched the whole world over
In my search for teacher's true.
And from all those that crowd life's lane,
I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love?
Not think the labor vain?
Not hate me when I come
To take him back again?"

"I fancied that I heard them say---
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done
For all the joys Thy child will bring
The risk of grief we'll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.

But should Thy angel call for him,
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."